“(Coach Bob) Lilley’s young players should follow his lead. Accept blame, then change things starting Saturday about 8 p.m. They’ve had great chemistry all season. Their roles have been defined. They played mostly with passion and fearlessness trying to make their mark.”

Now these Rhinos, who made watching soccer in Rochester fun again this year and have given fans hope that another championship can be won, must play like that again in Saturday’s finale and in the playoffs.

SEE BELOW: STERN COMMENTS FROM COACH BOB LILLEY and here’s link to my GAME STORY.

All season Rhinos coach Bob Lilley has said it’s just as much about his team growing and improving as it is results. Well, now neither the process nor the results are turning out the way he and his players want them and it’s happening at almost the absolute worst time.

A goal by Christian Gomez, the former MVP of MLS in 2006 for D.C. United, in stoppage time today in Fort Lauderdale gave Miami FC a 1-0 victory and sent the Rochester Rhinos to their second straight defeat. With one match left in the regular season and clinging to first place in the USL Conference, Rochester (15-8-6) suddenly has dropped two consecutive matches for only the second time this season. An uncovered Gomez scored off a counterattack in the 94th minute, converting an eight-yard header that beat rookie goalie Neal Kitson and dipped below the crossbar. Miami (7-11-11), which is out of playoff contention, has won four straight, including a 2-0 win last weekend in Rochester. The Rhinos had beaten Miami 3-1 in Rochester on Aug. 21 and tied them in April in Florida.

Austin beat St. Louis 4-2 late Saturday night to overtake Rochester (51 points) for first place in the USL Conference and top spot in the chase for the top seed in the playoffs. The Rhinos, who secured a playoff berth weeks ago, now trail Austin (15-5-8, 53 points) by two points. The Aztex, who have two matches in hand, play host to St. Louis tonight before closing at Carolina and Montreal – two playoff-bound clubs – next weekend. Rochester’s last match is at St. Louis, which has been eliminated from the playoffs, next Saturday. The Rhinos failed to generate any sort of consistent attack for the second straight week against Miami, which had a goal by Martin Nunez called back in the 39th minute on an offside call. Lilley said he took out rookie defender Tyler Bellamy late in the first half because he wasn’t getting the job done. He inserted Kenold Versailles, who played well at defensive midfield as team MVP Aaron Pitchkolan dropped back to central defense.

SILVER LININGS (if you’re looking for any): The Rhinos might benefit from dropping to the 3 or 4 seed the way the playoff table is shaping up with Puerto Rico and Montreal likely somewhere between 6-8; the only other time Rochester lost two straight (mid-May to Baltimore and at Vancouver, both shutouts) it responded with that big 2-1 home win over Vancouver; finally, the Rhinos do have one more match to snap out of this funk before the playoffs and sometimes in sports that’s all it takes (ask Montreal, which has done well since a 5-0 at Baltimore). Nothing these guys do in practice this week will matter much; they’ll have to prove it to themselves and their coaches next Saturday in St. Louis.

“We may have been a little bit better than last week but we’ve lost our way a bit. We’re not defending well enough. We’re taking shortcuts. Maybe we tried a little harder in the heat down here, but the bottom line is we didn’t do enough.”

“We’re not playing collective. That’s what (assistant coach) Billy (Sedgewick) and I just told them (in the locker room).

“I don’t feel they’re taking risk going forward. If they’re afraid to fail – and I feel like we’ve played the last couple not to lose – we won’t be successful. I take responsibility if the team isn’t responding. It’s my job to get them playing to win games, not to avoid failure and that’s where we are right now.”

“We were very specific this week (in practice) and I don’t feel like I’m reaching (the players) right now and they’re not working hard enough. Billy (Sedgewick) and I can’t play for them, so they’re going to figure out what responsibility they want to take and how accountable they want to hold each other. That’s as blunt as I can be.”

Here’s the link to today’s story on WPS officially announcing a conditional agreement with Joe Sahlen to add a western New York franchise that will split home matches between Rochester and Buffalo. I’m hearing the team name may be the New York Flash, which I like better than “Buffalo.” Look for press conferences early next month to announce the official team name and logo. An expansion draft will be held next month also to fill out the roster. And, nope, don’t look for Abby Wambach to play for this team. The league needs her in a major market, like Washington, and I think it’ll still keep it fresh and be a better draw if she plays her twice a summer rather than 10 to 12 times. The WPS played a 12-game home schedule this year. I think that could be reduced to 10 next year and if all parties are smart and can work out a deal, look for Flash doubleheaders with the W-League Rochester Ravens. This is a good thing for Rochester soccer, its stadium, the Rhinos (who can make money of concessions and suite sales) and for women/girls in our area to have pro role models right in front of their eyes.

GOING TO MIAMI: The Rhinos leave this afternoon for Miami, where they face the Blues (6-11-11) at 4 p.m. on Saturday. Miami has beaten Miami, Rochester (51 points) and St. Louis but is out of playoff contention. Rochester will try to hold onto the top spot over Austin (50 points, one match in hand), which plays host to another lame duck team, St. Louis. Tomorrow’s match is not on WROC-AM radio. It’s only available at www.rhinossoccer.tv. Look for my preview in Saturday’s editions.

SATURDAY’S KICK THIS SHOW! We’ll have Rhinos coach Bob Lilley live from Miami (rookie Neal Kitson will be back in goal Saturday), WPS Director of Communications Rob Penner and former Rhinos star and current goalkeeper coach, Billy Andracki, as guests. Tune into WHTK-AM/FM (1280/107.3) at 11 a.m. or listen online at www.whkt.com. If you can’t hear it live, go later in the day to www.kickthis.com

Women’s Professional Soccer, which counts Pittsford native Abby Wambach among its stars, will officially announce Friday that it has conditionally approved a team that will play in 2011 in Rochester and Buffalo. The team, which is owned by Joe Sahlen of Buffalo-based Sahlen’s, a meat products and meat packing company, will be the league’s eighth franchise and split its home matches between Marina Auto Stadium in downtown Rochester and a newly-expanded field at Niagara University.

Sahlen’s currently owns and operates the Buffalo Flash, which last summer in only its second season went unbeaten in capturing the W-League Championship. The W-League is considered largely a developmental league. The WPS is comprised of professional players, most notably Mercy High graduate Wambach, 30, the Washington Freedom forward and U.S. national team star. Former Rochester Rhinos women’s player Alex Sahlen, the owner’s daughter, has played for the Flash and is team president. Its coach the past two years was Aaran Lines, an ex-Rhinos men’s player who is expected to stay on as coach. Alex Sahlen and Lines, who were married last year, have been in Europe recently scouting players. The new team’s name and logo will officially be introduced at events in Buffalo and Rochester early next month, according to the league. Changing the team name to New York Flash is a possibility.

The WPS, whose championship match is Sunday (2:30 p.m., Fox Soccer Channel), has seven other teams: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Bay Area (California), Philadelphia, Sky Blue FC (NY/NJ) and Washington. WPS, which started in 2009, is the second pro league for women in America. The WUSA (Women’s United Soccer Association) existed from 2001-03.

We’ve already heard about AC St. Louis’ distress off the field this season and Wednesday’s 4-2 loss at Miami has rendered it a lame duck on it, too. Miami (6-11-11), which already had been eliminated from postseason contention, scored three times in a 27-minute span starting in the 43rd minute to capture its third straight victory. What does this mean for the Rhinos?

We know the 8 teams that will be in the USSF D2 Pro League playoffs, which just don’t know the order. Well, other than to play for a job next year – if one even will exist in St. Louis (7-13-8), which is up for sale – the club has no incentive to win on Saturday in Austin (14-5-8) or at home in next Saturday’s regular-season finale against the Rhinos (15-7-6). Of course, Miami had no reason to win last night either, other than pride, and it did. Sometimes the team that’s loose has an advantage and Miami will look to make it four in a row when it plays host to Rochester on Saturday at 4 p.m. The Rhinos (51 points, 2 matches left) must win, I think, to have a shot at the No. 1 playoff seed over Austin (50 points, 3 matches left). In my opinion, Austin’s final two games, on the road at Carolina (Fri. Oct. 1) and Montreal (Sun. Oct. 3) will decide the top spot and that’s good news for Rochester because those are traditionally tough places to win. Carolina is 11-9-8; Montreal is 10-11-7.

YAWN. THANKS, USSF: This season that the USSF set up is officially too long in my opinion. Games once a week after compacting the schedule with so many all summer? The regular season dragging into October?Fans caring more about football than futbol right now? It’s a joke. I sure hope, whatever happens next season, this is rectified. The playoffs should have started in mid-September with the title game in late September or early October. The USSF really didn’t think this out, especially when you consider that few minor-league soccer franchises are profitable and this crawl-to-a-finish regular season means most owners have to keep paying their players until October.

RUSSELL CONFIRMS: Bob Russell, 47, the Rhinos’ executive vice president who joined the team in early August, is no longer with the organization, he told me today from Denver, Colo., where he is attending a family function. Rhinos owner Rob Clark offered only “no comment,” when I asked if Russell still worked for the franchise but Russell said ”We have philosophical differences and mangement styles and thought it would be best for both parties to move on.” Russell called it “mutually agreed upon.” MY TAKE: In a season with mostly good news for this franchise, this is a bummer. Russell knows what he’s doing and with his local connections as a Rochester native, experience and business acumen he would have helped the Rhinos. When asked for more details, to his credit, Russell said: “It’s not a time for distractions,” alluding to the team’s push toward first place and a playoff run.

That’s right – former Rhinos midfielder Luke Kreamalmeyer set up the game-winning goal in the 93rd minute on Saturday night to help AC St. Louis shock Austin, 2-1, and help out the Rhinos in the chase for the No. 1 seed in the playoffs while dealing a big blow to the Aztex. Luis Gil got the winner. Austin had tied the match in the 91st minute on Eddie Johnson’s goal, but St. Louis came back in what I’m sure was a wild finish in Missouri.

The result: The Rhinos’ home loss on Friday, 2-1, to Miami FC wasn’t as bad as first expected. Rochester (15-7-6, 51 points) held on to its one-point lead over Austin (14-5-8, 50) for the top spot. The Aztex still have a match in hand (3 left; the Rhinos have 2) – they play host to St. Louis on Saturday when Rochester is at Miami – and then close the season at Carolina and Montreal. The Rhinos finish at St. Louis on Oct. 2.

Again, why is the top spot so critical? Conference winners get the Nos. 1-2 seeds. So either the Rhinos or Austin will get No. 1 for winning the USL Conference and it looks like Vancouver or maybe Carolina will win the NASL Conference. So the USL runner-up would drop to No. 3. Right now, a 3 vs. 6 seed matchup would be against Montreal at No. 6 and the Impact just beat Baltimore, 3-0. The Impact has won 4 of its last 5 and outscored foes 13-3 in that run. Of course, the bottom 3 spots in the league can change quickly. I mean, right now Puerto Rico is No. 8 and Minnesota is No. 7.

Here’s what we know: Tampa, Miami and Baltimore have now been eliminated from the postseason. None can reach 36 points, which is what current No. 8 Puerto Rico has. However, St. Louis could reach 36 if it wins out. It has 29 points, so it could get to 38 points with three wins. It plays at Miami on Wednesday (St. Louis must win or draw to stay alive), at Austin Saturday and then its finale, which could be meaningless, is Oct. 2 vs. visiting Rochester.

SATURDAY’S START TIME: Rhinos PR man Eric Trendel confirms that the match in Miami is at 4 p.m. I know it has been listed differently on some sites.

SATURDAY ON KICK THIS: Scheduled interviews with coach Bob Lilley, Rhinos team captain Frankie Sanfilippo and new team MVP, Aaron Pitchkolan. Tune in to WHTK.com or AM 1280/FM 107.3 at 11 a.m. If you can’t hear it live, listen later at www.KickThis.com

************

UPDATES BELOW WITH COMMENTS FROM COACH LILLEY AND PLAYERS

The Rhinos’ push toward the playoffs hit a speed bump tonight, as Miami FC upset the USL Conference leaders, 2-1, in front of an announced crowd of 6,794 at Marina Auto Stadium. Rochester (15-7-6), which had won seven of their last eight and four straight at home, play their last two regular-season matches on the road at Miami FC (5-11-11) next Saturday and Oct. 2 at St. Louis (6-12-8). The Rhinos hold a one-point lead over Austin (14-4-8, 50 points) for first place in the USL Conference and in the chase for the No. 1 seed in the playoffs.A loss or tie just about would have eliminated Miami from postseason contention, but the Blues played well. They were coming off another upset, 2-1, of Montreal last Saturday that stopped the Impact’s three-match win streak.

Down 2-1, the Rhinos didn’t mount much of an attack in the second half until the final 11 minutes. In the 79th minute, Isaac Kissi beat J.P. Rodrigues with a chest trap that he played quickly to himself near the 18-yard line. The rookie forward and Rochester’s top scorer took two touches into space going at goal, but the defender recovered to poke the ball away before Kissi could shoot from about 10 yards. A minute later, Kissi passed to Nano Short on the near post, but his 10-yard volley hit the bottom of the crossbar, bounced straight down but didn’t cross the goal line. Kissi, whose six goals lead the Rhinos, didn’t start because of a sore knee. He replaced fellow rookie Andrew Hoxie in the 60th minute.

The Rhinos, who had been 14-0-3 when scoring first, went ahead in the 10th minute when forward Anthony Hamilton placed a well-struck header from 14 yards into the upper right corner off Tyler Rosenlund’s corner kick. But Miami FC tied it in the 17th minute. Abe Thompson’s header off a cross went to a looselyunmarked Danilio Martins, who scored on a six-yard volley. The Blues, who found a lot more room to operate than most Rochester foes during its recent stretch of strong play (8-2 record), went ahead in the 24th minute off a mistake. Rhinos midfielder Darren Spicer tried to head a pass from outside the penalty area over traffic and back to goalie Scott Vallow. But Thompson intercepted it with ease about 12 yards out and slotted a seven-yard shot past a stunned Vallow. Just three minutes before that, Thompson got to a header in front but his eight-yard shot hit the crossbar and Martins somehow missed on a wide-open look from six yards. The Rochester defense, which had shut out eight of its last 13 opponents, wasn’t sharp in the first half. In the 35th minute, Martins was alone again but his 12-yard shot was high.

QUOTES FROM COACH BOB LILLEY: “We didn’t put in the work. We can’t say we were unlucky. We were thoroughly outplayed and it’s disappointing because I don’t think we did what’s made us successful.”

“We lost the ball with poor passing in bad areas and we got caught dribbling in our end repeatedly in the first half. We kind of helped build their confidence. We were lucky we weren’t down more at halftime (than 2-1).”

“I’m not pleased with the second half, either. We were 25 minutes into the second half we hadn’t recorded a shot. I thought the forwards were poor tonight in trying to get behind them. There was no urgency. There was no danger. We played 90 minutes waiting for a mistake to try to score. We didn’t break them down and I don’t have the answers for tonight.”

FORWARD ANTHONY HAMILTON: “I think after the (first Miami) goal we really let down a lot and that’s something we don’t want to do. We let them establish the game.”

MIDFIELDER AND NEW TEAM MVP, AARON PITCHKOLAN: “We started well but then we got away from all the things that have gotten us to this point. We couldn’t keep possession (and had) some sloppy turnovers … We dug ourselves a hole.”

“(Miami was) fighting for their playoff life tonight. They had an extra gear, but games are going to be like that and we have to match that intensity.”

DEFENDER FRANKIE SANFILIPPO: “The second half we were a bit better … but you can’t wait that long to get back into the game. If we play like this, we’ll get killed in the playoffs so this is definitely a wake-up call.”

My vote goes to center back Troy Roberts. He hasn’t missed a single minute of any league match and has mentored rookie center back Tyler Bellamy (18 starts). The 26-year-old who spent four years with the LA Galaxy before last season with Cleveland (USL-1) has anchored a defense that has r11 shutouts, including eight in the last 13 games (since July 9). Disclaimer: The players vote on these, so I don’t know how this will go. These are just how I’d vote based on what I know. I do happen to agree a bit with coach Bob Lilley in that it’s strange to give these awards out with three matches left in the season. I would rather have seen them before the playoff home opener or, better yet, at a postseason dinner. “Whoever receives the awards, I feel strongly there will be other players that are just as deserving and played their part in where we are as a team,” Lilley said.

By the way, there will be plenty of giveaways at tonight’s Fan Appreciation Night regular-season home finale against Miami (see list below and read my preview in today’s D&C) and team awards will be done before opening kickoff at 7:30 p.m. Here are my picks below. What are yours?

MVP:Troy Roberts, defender

REASONS: See above.

Offensive Player of Year: Isaac Kissi, forward

REASONS: The 23-year-old leads team in goals (6) and points (14) and has done so in just 10 starts (21 games played) after missing the first six (knee injury). Four goals and two assists during the last 10 matches (8-2 record) is a huge, too. Runner-up here: Andrew Hoxie, forward.

Defensive Player of Year:Aaron Pitchkolan, def. midfielder

REASONS: Kind of fudging this a bit because his biggest contribution has been moving from central defense up to D-midfield. The 27-year-old’s versatility, toughness in the tackle and aerial presence has helped a ton. The midfield needed his size and rugged play. Runner-up here: Frankie Sanfilippo.

Rookie(s) of Year: Tyler Bellamy, D; Alfonso Motagalvan, M

REASONS: Another tough, tough choice so I’m going to split my vote between defender Bellamy andMotagalvan. Goalie Neal Kitson (9-5-2, 7.5 shutouts) was nearly the pick, but I felt where Bellamy, 22, came from (St. Bonaventure) and to where he is now has been a HUGE leap. As for Motagalvan, the 23-year-old has done well facilitating the attack and “managing the game,” as coach Bob Lilley likes to say. He has two assists, but has started 23 of 25 matches he’s played and has been steady. It’s not his job to be spectacular. Without him, I think a lot of things break down.

Leadership Award:Frankie Sanfilippo, defender

REASONS: THIS NO LONGER EXISTS AND WON’T BE GIVEN OUT TONIGHT, BUT I’M KEEPING IT POSTED HERE. He’s the team captain, so he’s supposed to lead, but in his first year back since leaving for Carolina and Charleston after the 2006 season, the 29-year-old has set the tone in practice and the locker room. He’ll run through a wall if it’ll help his club win … and that ‘tude trickles down.

Coach’s Award:Anthony Hamilton, forward

REASONS: He has that do-whatever-it-takes mentality that Lilley and assistant coach Bill Sedgewick also had as players. He’s a worker, a grinder and is versatile enough to play up top and midfield. I actually think most Rhinos among this group have a team-first, me-second attitude – and how different is THAT from last year? – so this was another tough choice.

Community Award: Ryan Heins, midfielder

REASONS: The third-year Rhino is good with fans and personable. Again, that’s like a lot in this group but I know he has done his part on the field (4 goals, 1 assist) and is a good talker in front of the TV cameras and with fans.

TAMPA HELPS RHINOS: Aaron King’s stoppage-time goal on Thursday night earned a 1-1 draw for Tampa against Austin, which could have gone ahead of the Rhinos (51 points) with a victory in Florida. Instead, the Aztex (14-4-8) have only one game in hand now and trail Rochester (15-6-6) by two points in the chase for the top seed in the playoffs. The Rhinos can get to 60 points if they win out (3 matches left); Austin can get to 61 points if they do the same. Austin has two matches left with St. Louis, still fighting for its postseason life, and then finishes at Carolina and Montreal. I don’t see anyway Austin wins out now, especially with those last two matches on the road in tough places. Should the Rhinos and Austin finish tied, Rochester wins the first tiebreaker, which is head-to-head matchups (1-0-1 record).

Here’s a link to my feature story today on Rhinos rookie forwards Isaac Kissi and Andrew Hoxie, who’ve caught fire in the second half of the season and helped spark Rochester’s run to first place. They’re both good guys and we’re enjoyable to sit and chat with for about 40 minutes. They’ve also learned what it takes this year to be a pro. Oftentimes I think fans forget we’re watching players who were in college last fall. For years, we were treated to seasoned pros, veterans who knew all the angles and, as a result, we’ve expected a lot from the Rhinos. Finally, after “figuring it out,” as Hoxie said, we’re watching Kissi and Hoxie develop into that right before our eyes. So, when Kissi is offside because he didn’t time his run, I get it. He’s still learning, but as coach Bob Lilley said, Kissi’s potential is “enormous” and the good news is I believe both are under contract for next year. Toward the end of the interview, there was a funny moment when I asked about minutes and platooning. Kissi smiled that smiled and said how next year, the job of No. 1 striker is his and won’t be shared. And he gave Hoxie a playful jab and they laughed. Don’t be mistaken: These guys have matured and still have a long way to go, but they wouldn’t be playing the way they are without having teammates and coaches who have A) Taught them B) Set them up.

WOMEN’S SOCCER ON HORIZON: After doing my interviews late into Wednesday evening, I’m pretty convinced the WPS wants the Buffalo Flash badly and the W-League champions will make the jump to Women’s Pro Soccer in 2011. Here’s today’s story. Sahlen’s, the meat and packing company with 100-plus employees and 174 years of history to its business, is the money behind this and I think a $1 million expansion fee will be a easy for it to pay. The model in Buffalo, too, with the soccer team being able to use Sahlen’s staffers such as marketing and ad reps, office staff, etc., makes sense. So does playing 4-6 matches in Rochester. Sahlen told me finding a suitable venue in the Buffalo area has been tough. Niagara University just built a soccer-specific stadium, but seats only about 1,000. They need at least 3,000 for WPS. So, the Flash need Rochester and want to make the franchise a regional team so fans from Syracuse also may come to matches at Marina Auto Stadium. Let’s face it: Bringing U.S. women’s national team players here, particularly that one named Wambach, has always been a big draw. Will it mean 10,000 fans? Nope, but it will draw 5,000-plus here with the right marketing and build up. It’s good to hear Rhinos GM Pat Ercoli and Ravens president Doug Miller so welcoming about the Flash. Ercoli knows the Rhinos want to fill up dates at the stadium and Miller knows a pro team, which could possibly take some of his best players on loan, will only help women’s soccer in Rochester. Lastly, for anyone who thinks the Flash doesn’t realize the jump in expenses that this will take: It does. Sahlen’s has paid some of its roster over the past two years and Alex said she knows the jump in payroll and overall budget (particularly travel costs) will be “massive,” but three years ago she and Aaran Lines, the personable ex-Rhino whom she married in December and is now the Flash coach, decided to give women’s soccer “a go,” as she said, in Buffalo. On the field, the club got it right, making the playoffs in 2009 and going unbeaten and winning the title last summer. In fact, four of the players on last year’s squad were picked up by WPS teams after the W-League title run. These are young soccer people running a soccer franchise. Makes sense. Will it make cents? I don’t know, but I’m willing to “give it a go” here, too and hearing that Sahlen’s already has its products in grocery stores in most WPS cities and may want to use WPS to strengthen its brand, that can only help sweeten this deal for all sides.

RHINOCAST: My latest chat with coach Lilley is ready for you to listen to on iTunes (click link in right-hand column). Lilley addresses what happned with goalie Neal Kitson as he came off the field last Saturday toward the end of the podcast (about 19-minute mark).

FAN APPRECIATION NIGHT: Several Rhinos alums will be on hand (see yesterday’s post) and team awards for MVP, Rookie of the Year, Defender of the Year, Offensive Player of the Year, Community Service and Coach’s Award will be announced before Friday night’s 7:30 match against Miami FC (4-11-11), which by the way upset Montreal 2-1 last weekend. I’ll give you my picks tomorrow on the blog. What are yours?

The Rhinos will celebrate the end of their 15th home season at Friday night’s match by welcoming back several former star players in a celebration at the Miami FC match. Wow, has it been 15 years? Yeah, I guess it has. There were times in the first seven or eight when time seemed to fly by but I think that ownership flap and the stadium issues have made it feel about right – 15 years. (wink, wink)

Anyway, here’s the list of confirmed players (when I get more details, I’ll pass them along, but I’m sure these guys will be available for autographs and to reminisce with fans):

Howard Allen

Billy Andracki

Tim Ashe

Mike Britton

Craig Demmin

Carl Hopfinger

Mike Kirmse

Yuri Lavrynenko

Joe Mercik

Doug Miller

Bill Sedgewick

Lenin Steenkamp

*

COMING UP: Later today look for our next RhinosCast, as Rochester coach Bob Lilley joins me for a chat. It should be posted by early evening tonight right here. Also: Get ready for my feature in Thursday’s editions on Rhinos rookie forwards Isaac Kissi and Andrew Hoxie.

*

SCOREBOARD WATCHING: It resumes on Thursday night, as Austin plays at Tampa Bay. The Aztex (49 points) still have two matches in hand on the Rhinos (51 points) in the chase for the No. 1 seed and are coming off Saturday’s 3-1 loss at Puerto Rico. A loss Thursday and Rochester (3 matches left) just about controls its own destiny (I think it’d need Austin, which has 5 left to play, to draw or lose one of its final four after Thursday vs. St. Louis twice and at Carolina and Montreal and I think that will happen). So Rhinos fans should be thinking “Rowdies” on Thursday.

*

TIED UP: How’d you like to be a fan of the Vancouver Whitecaps (10-3-14) this season? Yes, they’re in first place, have the fewest losses in the league and probably will win the No. 2 seed and NASL Conference … but watching 14 ties? Ugh. No thank you. That has to be frustrating. Remember those six scoreless draws at home for the Rhinos last year? Of course you do.

*

GOALIES: My guess is Scott Vallow will get at least one start out of these next two matches for the Rhinos with Miami FC over rookie Neal Kitson. I know Kitson has played the most of late, but I also know this is not a starter/backup situation. It’s really keeper No. 1 and 1A.

Jeff DiVeronica has covered professional soccer and the Rhinos for the Democrat and Chronicle since the team's inception in 1996. "Devo's Direct Kicks" takes aim mostly at Rochester soccer, but will also highlight the USL, MLS and U.S. national team play. Devo, his nickname since college at St. John Fisher, also hosts two weekly radio shows each Saturday on WHTK-AM/FM (1280/107.3 or www.whtk.com). "Kick This!" (11 a.m.) features soccer talk, while the Canandaigua National Bank High School Sports Show (noon) covers Section V sports. E-mail Jeff at jdiveron@DemocratandChronicle.com.
Or follow him on Twitter: @RocDevo